Bullying Shoved Another Teen Over The Edge Into Death. For What?
There is a recently posted video on You Tube in which isayitlikeitis1 questions the rationale of teens committing suicide in the wake of 14-year-old Phillip Parker's choosing death over life. Parents and friends attributed the cause of Parker's self-destruction to be the unmerciful bullying he received at the hands of schoolmates whose venomous taunts became too hard to bare. The Tennessee teen was gay.
The videographer's position is an interesting one. Did the teens (all those who have ended their lives, regardless of sexual orientation) selfishly embrace suicide's "easy way out" as being "cool" instead of tirelessly trying to find solutions, answers or outlets for their pain? Did Jamey Rodemeyer Tyler Clement, Justin Aaberg, Haylee Fentress, Paige Moravetz and Phoebe Prince, consider the torment and suffering they would cause family, friends and those they were leaving behind? Was their self-inflicted violence an act of revenge against their tormentors whom they hoped would suffer guilt that their abusive hate was responsible for inflicting death? In the case of Phoebe Prince who was harassed and physically threatened and whose indicted tormentors, pleading guilty to lesser charges were placed on probation and sentenced to community service, was the suicide a necessary and awakening revenge?
The video ends with "RIP Phillip Parker." Good points, indeed. However, the bullying that has added four more gay teens (Jacob Rogers December 7, Jeffrey Fehr-Jan. 1, Eric James Borges -Jan 11, Phillip Parker, Jan-20) to a list of suicides and that has in all four instances been directly linked to the given reason why the young men saw no reason to continue with life, will, most probably, not stop. Homo sapiens, are, after all, a cruel species. Singly, and in groups some, incapable or intractable of education, or for any other attendant reason if they have the character for it, must find another upon which to spew the hateful contents of their spleen. They feel good afterward, justified that life is worthwhile. Well, bully for them. If a suicide occurs as a result, the victim's ghost, in an odd twist has come to haunt/bully all concerned for the rest of their lives. Especially the bullies, if they are fortunate to be sentient.
Continued on the next page
Follow Technorati